Sandra Nichols wins county schools race by wide margin

SANTA CRUZ - Former Pajaro Valley schools Trustee Sandra Nichols defeated challenger James Spano by a wide margin in the race for the county schools Area 3 post.

Nichols won nearly 80 percent of the vote on Tuesday, while Spano, a retired high school principal, won 19 percent.

The county Office of Education seat had been held by Trustee Arnie Levine, who did not seek re-election.

Levine, 88, had served on the board for 16 years representing Area 3.

The area largely represents Santa Cruz City Schools, along with a portion of Scotts Valley Unified and San Lorenzo Valley Unified.

Nichols campaigned heavily for the county post, with endorsements from state Assemblymen Bill Monning and Luis Alejo.

Nichols resigned from her position with Pajaro Valley Unified in August after moving from Larkin Valley to Santa Cruz, where she and her husband Peter plan to retire.

Spano ran a low-key campaign, and instead counted on community contacts and his experience as a school administrator and consultant with the state Department of Education and county Office of Education.

In addition to the Area 3 race, two incumbents will return to their seats on the county schools board, while a newcomer ran unopposed.

Without any challengers, the three will be appointed in lieu of an election.

Trustee George "Bud" Winslow will serve on the county board representing Area 4, which includes portions of the Live Oak School District, Soquel Union Elementary School District and Santa Cruz City High School District.

Trustee Dana M. Sales will continue to represent Area 6, which is mostly comprised of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

Jane Barr, a former member of the Pajaro Valley Unified board, is taking over the Area 5 seat held by Trustee Vic Marani, who is not seeking re-election.